* ABSTRACT * INTRODUCTION * THE TOOLS OF THE NUMERIST * THE GOALS OF THE NUMERIST * THE METHODS OF THE NUMERIST * GENERAL CRITIQUE ************************************************* ABSTRACT The use of numeric values of Biblical words and phrases in the original languages as a possible additional source of increasing our knowledge of God's revelation is shown to be a bankrupt endeavor. The methods used by Theomaticists are demonstrated and critiqued. The end result is a refutation of a modern revival of numerology. INTRODUCTION Biblical numerology has an ancient history. Numbers have fascinated men since their invention and Bible believers have not been immune from their mystical influences. I was introduced to the work of Ivan Panin as a young boy, and felt that there must be some validity to Bible Numerics. Years later, as an engineering student, I heard of a young man doing research in Bible numerics. I contacted that person and shortly thereafter met with him for several days, discussing his new method of discovering numeric features and his need for tools for further research. I was still under the mistaken notion that Numerics could be used to prove the Bible’s inspiration "scientifically." Shortly thereafter, I was able to obtain the text of the New Testament in Greek from the Battelle Memorial Institute, through the generous help of the late Dr. J. Arthur Baird. The institute had created a digital (ASCII) format of the Greek NT based on the Nestlé text. To my knowledge, the Old Testament in Hebrew had not been digitized. Over the next two years and with the help of an expert programmer, we were able to produce the following tools: THE TOOLS OF THE NUMERIST 1- An Interlinear Numeric-Greek New Testament based upon the traditional numeric values of the Greek alphabet. [This work was recognized as unique and unprecedented, and featured on the nationwide CBS Radio Program, Speaking of Religion.] A short example from the Interlinear Numeric-Greek NT, from John 1:1: 55 709 58 70 373 ...
en arch hn o logoV ...The traditional numeric values of the Greek alphabet: a = 1 b = 2 g = 3 d = 4 e = 5* z = 7 h = 8 q = 9 i = 10 k = 20 l = 30 m = 40 n = 50 x = 60 o = 70 p = 80* r = 100 s,V = 200 t = 300 u = 400 f = 500 c = 600 y = 700 w = 800 The numeric value for a word in the New Testament can be determined by adding the numeric values of each letter in the word. e.g. the Numeric Value of the Greek word Logos, usually translated "Word" is
logoV = 30+70+3+70+200 = 373(*Alleged changes in the Greek alphabet are the reason that 6 & 90 do not appear in this list.) Two other volumes were also produced, each one based upon a different Random Number assignment for each Greek character; e.g. instead of a value of 1 for a, it had a value of 200. This was done to see if numeric "features" were still present with Random Values. To my knowledge, this work was not adequately investigated. 2- An alphabetic list of every word in the Greek NT. 3- A list of every word in the NT, according to its numeric value. 4- Tables listing every number from 1 through 21000, giving each number’s Prime Factors and all of its Multiplicative Combinations (MCs). [A small part of this document is reproduced below.] For example:
The Prime Factors of 888 are: 2x2x2x3x37;
The MCs of 888 are: 4,6,8,12,24,74,111,148,222,296,444. MCs are all the numbers that divide evenly into 888 without remainder.
They are calculated by multiplying the Prime Factors in all possible combinations;
e.g. 2x2=4,... 2x3x37=222 etc. THE GOALS OF THE NUMERIST The Bible numerist's goal is to find Common Factors that exist in the Numeric Values of two or more words or phrases. His hope is that if there is an obscure Biblical word or phrase, he will find its correct meaning by matching its numeric value or by having a Common Multiplicative Combination with another well known word or phrase. Furthermore, for the numerist, the alleged existence of these numerical structures in Scripture is scientific proof of its Inspiration by God. THE METHODS OF THE NUMERIST A shroud of mystery surrounds the work of those who are attempting to discover numeric features. I will attempt to uncover the mystery. The numeric value of each single word is already calculated and displayed in the Numeric-Greek Interlinear. In the past, numerists used the numeric values of single words to try and arrive at the correct reading of the original text of the Greek New Testament. This was the original goal of Ivan Panin. In fact he published a Greek-Numeric New Testament and an English translation of it, using his methods. But the modern Theomaticist goes a step beyond and introduces a new twist to an old craft. Instead of trying to find patterns in the Bible using the values of single words, the modern numerist sums up the numeric values of two or more words, and using the Table of MCs, tries to find matching Common Factors for different phrases. The process is compromised because the beginning and end of a phrase is left to the discretion of the numerist. He decides where to begin and end each phrase, how many words to include in the phrase, and even to remove (and add) words or characters occurring within the phrase, because he deems certain words unnecessary to the meaning of the phrase. He feels free to ignore certain words in the text, such as articles, prepositions, etc., which he feels are unimportant and even meaningless. Since there is always a bit of subtlety in every sentence, this might seem reasonable at first sight. After all, it is still understandable when one says, The Water is wet or Water is wet. The meaning of both sentences is close enough under most circumstances, but they are not identical. The numerist feels free to drop or add the article The, (i.e. its equivalent in Greek) and attempt to find Numeric Features in the sentence with or without the article. An example will help to clarify the procedure: Lets us say that the theomaticist has calculated that a phrase has a numeric value of 2082. The Prime Factors of 2082 are 2x3x347 (see list below). Its Multiplicative Combinations (MCs) are 6, 694 & 1041.Only these six numbers divide evenly into 2082: 2, 3, 6, 347, 694 & 1041. [The small values, such as 2, 3 & 6 are not considered to be statistically significant.] This is disappointing to the numerist because he has so few factors with which to compare values from other phrases. What does he do? On the table of Prime Factors and their MCs (see below) he looks up and down the list to find a number which varies a few digits from 2082, but which has MANY MORE MCs. He manipulates the original phrase so that its numeric value decreases or increases. He removes a letter or two from the phrase, letters which he arbitrarily calls "meaningless or unnecessary," and ends up with a phrase, of say, Numeric Value 2080. Now, the Prime Factors of 2080 are 2x2x2x2x2x5x13 (see below); and its MCs are: 4, 8, 10, 16, 20, 26, 32, 40, 52, 65, 80, 104, 130, 160, 208, 260, 416, 520 & 1040. These are Twenty-One NEW Factors (2 is common to both), giving a Total of Twenty-Seven Factors with which to work, whereas before he had only 6 factors. The possibilities for "finding features" that could have relationships with other phrases has increased dramatically. In fact the possibilities have multiplied by over 4 times. Let’s say the numerist is not satisfied with these choices. All he needs to do is add a letter or two or more from a word before or after the phrase found in the Bible, and now the numeric value of the phrase is 2088, just 6 points above the original value . . . Below is a partial list of numbers, their Prime Factors, and their Multiplicative Combinations (MCs): 2080= 2x2x2x2x2x5x13 MCs> 4, 8, 10, 16, 20, 26, 32, 40, 52, 65, 80, 104, 130, 160, 208, 260, 416, 520, 1040 2081= 2081 (a prime number) 2082= 2x3x347 MCs> 6, 694, 1041 2083= 2083 (a prime number) 2084= 2x2x521 MCs> 4, 1042 2085= 3x5x139 MCs> 15, 417, 695 2086= 2x7x149 MCs> 14, 298, 1043 2087= 2087 (a prime number) 2088= 2x2x2x3x3x29 MCs> 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 58, 72, 87, 116, 174, 232, 261, 348, 522, 696, 1044 2089= 2089 (a prime number) . . . The Prime Factors of 2088 are 2x2x2x3x3x29; (see above) and its MCs are: 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, 58, 72, 87, 116, 174, 232, 261, 348, 522, 696 & 1044. These are another Seventeen NEW Factors which the numerist is more than happy to juggle for features. (2, 3, 4, 6 & 8 are common factors). Adding up all the Unique MCs for just these Three combinations of phrases with values of 2080, 2082 and 2088, we come up with
FORTY-FOUR Different Factors that can be used to "discover numeric features" or "numeric relationships". A much larger value than the 6 numbers that were originally available. If we disregard all values less than 100 as being statistically insignificant, we still end up with 19 unique numbers that can be used to "discover" numeric features. Compared to the original 3 significant Factors, now there are over 6 times as many Factors that are greater than 100 with which to work. [One does not have to be a statistician to realize that this is not a valid method in probability.] The numerist makes a similar effort using words from another phrase which he deems has a similar meaning to the first phrase. If he "discovers" one Common Factor between two sets of Factors, then he declares that he has found a "Numeric Feature." The example given was for a phrase with a relatively low value of 2082 for its numeric value. It can be shown that the greater the numeric value of the phrase, the greater the number of MCs and the greater the possibility of "hitting" upon the "right" value that "proves" to the numerist that there is a pattern there. The presence of this pattern "proves" to him that the Bible was inspired by God and assures him of the real meaning of the phrases. This in brief is the method of the Theomaticist. This is presented to the world as proof positive that the Bible is God’s Inspired word. But this procedure takes Theomatics out of the realm of science. GENERAL CRITIQUE In addition to the fact that the methods of the Numerist are mathematically and statistically untenable, there are even more serious difficulties. I- The most crucial problem with numerics is this:- Words cannot be converted to numbers and then be expected to reveal more knowledge than is already there IN THE WORDS. Numbers by themselves carry No meaning. A "sentence" such as 281 38 415 1 66 84 131 6 is meaningless. It cannot be called a sentence, because sentences must have words, because only words carry meaning in them.
Conclusion: Numbers DO NOT carry meaning in them, meaning that is needed to convey information from person to person. Numbers are tools like hammers and computers, and their substitution in place of words is illogical.II- By converting words to numbers, one does not add more meaning & information to the Revelation that is already given, but meaning is removed from the words. Numerics has not added ANY New information to what is revealed to us in the words of the Bible. This is because it is Not possible for numbers to convey meaning. Words are too rich an entity to be reduced to numbers and still retain their integrity. Words and sentences have subtle meanings that numbers can NEVER convey.
Conclusion: Converting words to numbers REDUCES Revelation and does Not increase it. What value would a Bible have if it was full of numbers instead of words?III- Due to the above two points, the numerist has NO CHOICE but to start with MeaningFULL Words, determine relationships between phrases using these meanings, and finally, allegedly derive a numerical relationship between these phrases. But the relationship of the word or words was ALREADY KNOWN before any numerical conversions were done because we already have the meaning of the words. The numerist is using the meanings in the words and sentences to decide which predetermined number he is looking for in the phrase. So what have we gained? No "NEW! Best kept secret" has been discovered through Theomatics.
Conclusion: Numerics is unscientific because the process that is followed is deciding on a number, then manipulating sentences & phrases to "fit" that number to other related phrases whose meaning is already known from the words and NOT FROM THE NUMBERS!! This method would not be acceptable by any knowledgeable mathematician or statistician. IV- Generally speaking, Theomatics or Numerics is an attempt to 'distill' numbers out of words and thus arrive at a 'fuller' or increased revelation, but the problem is that by reducing words to numbers, one is 'distilling' the fluid but then Discarding the desirable nectar (the meanings in the words) and retaining the useless vapor (the numbers).
Conclusion: The numerist is diverting people's attention away from the meanings of the words in Scripture, and looking into numbers for meanings which they cannot convey. The inescapable conclusion is that the use of numerics and/or Theomatics up to this point has been Anti-revelation. And finally... V- Theomaticists are constantly teasing their readers with expectations of New revelational knowledge and greater insight into the Scriptures, but are unable to do so, because it is not possible to do so through the magic of numerics.Conclusion: Christians should not give any credence to Bible numerics, Theomatics or any similar method that alleges to derive new and hidden information from the Scriptures. *********** Recommendations in dealing with the issue of Theomatics (or any 'Science-versus-Faith' issue). Those who are trying to find "scientific" support for Biblical Inspiration or other similar issues, first need to understand THE NATURE OF KNOWLEDGE and THE NATURE OF TRUTH. ^^^ RETURN TO TOP ^^^ | 